Monday, 22 June 2020

Dear international students,

Subject: Studying in the UK from autumn 2020

As the Education and Universities Ministers of the four countries of the United
Kingdom (UK), England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we are proud that so
many international students choose to study here each year. We are also aware that
as thousands of students like you from around the world would usually be
considering their next steps, a global pandemic has caused huge disruption to our
daily lives.

We want new international students to benefit, as current students do, from a world-
class education from our globally renowned universities and enjoy an unforgettable
UK student experience. For this reason, we have worked closely with our universities
and are pleased to inform you that they have made, and will continue to make, every
effort to enable you to study in the UK next academic year and beyond.

The UK has a highly tolerant, multicultural society, with a rich diversity of cultures,
languages, and faiths. International students contribute significantly to this enriching
environment - which makes the UK such a brilliant place to study. Our universities
consistently do their utmost to ensure international students feel welcome on
campuses and beyond; they are clear that everyone with the talent and potential to
succeed in higher education has the opportunity to do so, regardless of nationality,
ethnic or national origins.

Recruitment for 2020/21 is happening now and our universities are very much
looking forward to welcoming you.
UK higher education has a well-established reputation for high quality – our
universities are among the best in the world. There are 4 UK providers amongst the
top 10 in the world, and 18 providers in the top 100. Our universities also have a
outstanding reputation for world-class research, which has been showcased during
this global pandemic as many are at the forefront of global efforts to understand the
coronavirus, provide specialist equipment and combat COVID-19.

Our graduates are proven to be among the most desirable in the world. Over 50
serving world leaders have benefited from a British education, and 83% of
international graduates surveyed by Universities UK International (UUKi) said their
UK degree helped them get their job. A UK education opens doors, wherever you go
in the world.
The new Graduate route represents a significant improvement in our offer to
international students that will enable you to work, or look for work in the UK,
at any skill level for two years after graduation.
The Graduate route will be available to international students who successfully
complete their degree at undergraduate level or above at a UK Higher Education
Provider with a track record of compliance by summer 2021, or after. International
students present in the UK before 6 April 2021 will still be eligible for the two year
Graduate route, if you meet the other requirements of the route, even if you begin
your course online before travelling to the UK in person. This is a fantastic
opportunity for international students that will help you with your first steps into
employment after graduation. More information about the Graduate route is available
online: https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/10/14/fact-sheet-graduate-
immigration-route/.

We are working to ensure that existing processes are as flexible as possible,

so that international students who are planning to study in the UK can do so.
We recognise that embarking on a course of study at a UK higher education
institution is a significant commitment, which is why we want to reassure
international students who are considering study in the UK that they will be able to
apply for, and will receive, their Tier 4 visas in good time before commencing their
programme of study in the UK.

Despite some COVID-19 disruptions to visa processes and exam timetables, you
can still get started with the process. For example, you can familiarise yourself with
UK visa requirements and talk to your chosen universities about evidence you may
need to supply for a visa application.

We continue to monitor worldwide border, travel and public health restrictions and
are resuming normal services as soon as we are able. Some Visa Application
Centres have reopened, with more to follow over the coming weeks. We recognise
the importance of international students, and as local restrictions lift, and application
centres begin to reopen we will look to process applications as quickly as possible.

UK degrees are of a globally high standard and are internationally valuable

whatever form they take – whether they are delivered in person or have
elements online.
Although admissions processes and modes of teaching might look slightly different
this year, the UK’s world-class universities are continuing to recruit international
students and you are encouraged to apply even if you are unable to travel to the UK
to meet usual timelines. Universities will be flexible in accommodating your
circumstances where possible, including if you are unable to travel to the UK in time
for the start of the academic year. We have seen some fantastic and innovative
examples of high-quality online learning being delivered by institutions across the
UK, and the sector is already working hard to prepare learning materials for the
summer and autumn terms. If you have any questions about course delivery in
2020/21, we encourage you to contact your chosen or prospective universities - who
are best placed to provide you with institution specific information.

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The UK Government, which is responsible for higher education in England, has
worked closely with the Office for Students, the independent higher education
regulator in England, to ensure students are able to continue their studies, receive
good quality provision and work towards a degree that they and future employers
value. The Office for Students has, released advice which confirms that it will
continue to regulate all registered providers in England, regardless of whether their
current provision is online or not. In Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council is
working closely with the Quality Assurance Agency and Education Scotland to
monitor the quality of the student experience. The Higher Education Funding Council
for Wales, as the regulator for higher education in Wales, has similarly published a
circular which reaffirms its expectations that providers will continue to meet their
obligations for quality and standards. This should provide you with the assurance
that the quality of a UK qualification will continue to be internationally valuable
whether delivered face-to-face or online or in blended form. A recent survey of UK
Universities found that 97% of universities surveyed are planning to provide some
form of in-person teaching (in small groups) at the start of term, with 87% stating
they will offer in-person social opportunities.

The UK cares immensely about the health and wellbeing of international

students, and ensuring they are safe is our number one priority.
We would like to reassure you that all governments across the UK are adhering
closely to the most up to date scientific advice and guidance, which is available
publicly online. As this changes, our advice has, and will continue to change to
match the level of the threat of the virus.

To keep number of transmissions in the UK as low as possible, and to protect UK

residents and international students in the UK, all international arrivals are now
required to supply their contact and accommodation information and self-isolate in
their accommodation for fourteen days on arrival into the UK. We have been clear
that universities are responsible for, and must support their students on arrival to the
UK. We are proud that UK universities are already demonstrating how seriously they
are taking this responsibility, in ensuring that their students are safe and well cared
for both upon arrival and for the duration of their stay.

These measures will be reviewed regularly, to ensure they are in line with the latest
scientific evidence and remain effective and necessary. International students should
not worry - we are working with universities to ensure that you know what to expect
before you travel to the UK and are welcomed and supported on arrival by your
chosen university.

It is now also a legal requirement to wear a face covering on public transport in

England and from 22 June will also be mandatory in Scotland, and across the UK
you are encouraged to wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where
social distancing is not possible and where you will come into contact with people
you do not normally meet. The UK government has published the essential health
and safety requirements that apply to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in
the UK, and clear guidance on appropriate PPE, which is consistent with World
Health Organization guidance for protecting from COVID-19. Further information on
this, and staying safe outside your home can be found online:
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www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-
outside-your-home

The UK is immensely proud of its amazing National Health Service (NHS). From the
very start of the pandemic we have been clear that our priority is to safeguard the
health, safety and wellbeing of all students – including international students – in the
UK. In addition to support from their universities, NHS services are available to both
domestic and international students. International students will always be able to
access treatment that clinicians consider is immediately necessary or urgent at no
upfront cost. No charges apply to testing for coronavirus, and as an international
student in the UK, you will also be able to access specific COVID-19 advice through
a new COVID-19 online service www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19.

Yours sincerely,

Michelle Donelan MP Graham Stuart MP

Minister of State for Universities Minister for Exports – Department for
International Trade

Diane Dodds MLA Richard Lochhead MSP

Minister for the Economy – Northern Ireland Minister for Further Education,
Higher Education and Science - Scotland

Kirsty Williams MS
Minister of Education - Wales

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 ANNEX A: USEFUL RESOURCES

Other resources for international students

Study UK Practical information and insight on www.study-uk.britishcouncil.org
UK education for international
students.
Study in Practical information about studying www.scotland.org/about-scotland
Scotland in Scotland as well as where to live
and visit during your stay.
Study in Practical information about studying www.studyinwales.ac.uk
Wales in Wales.
Office for The regulator and competition www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-
Students authority for the higher education students
(OfS) sector in England
Information regarding OfS’s role in
assuring quality and standards in
English Higher Education.
www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-
and-guidance/regulation/quality-and-
standards/
The Scottish Scotland’s strategic body www.sfc.ac.uk
Funding responsible for funding teaching
Council and learning provision, research
and other activities in Scotland's
colleges and universities
Higher (HEFCW) regulates fee levels at www.hefcw.ac.uk/working_with_he_pro
Education higher education providers, viders/coronavirus/coronavirus.aspx
Funding ensures a framework is in place for
Council for assessing the quality of higher
Wales education and scrutinises
the performance of designated
providers.
UKCISA Up-to-date information about www.ukcisa.org.uk
immigration, fees, student support,
working and living in the UK for www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice
current and prospective Student Advice Line:
international students. +4420 7788 9214
(Opening times available online here:
www.ukcisa.org.uk/About-
UKCISA/Contact-us)
UCAS The Universities and Colleges www.ucas.com
Admissions Service whose main
role is to operate the application
process for UK universities.

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Gov.uk - The best place to find UK Government services and information
UK Latest Public Health England www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Government advice relating to COVID-19
National Health Service (NHS) www.nhs.uk
Online COVID-19 service:
www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19
Visa and immigration advice www.gov.uk/government/collections/cor
onavirus-covid-19-immigration-and-
borders.

Entering the UK advice www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

Northern Latest Northern Ireland Executive www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/corona
Ireland advice relating to COVID-19 virus-covid-19
Executive
Scottish Latest Scottish Government advice www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
Government relating to COVID-19
Welsh Latest Welsh Government advice www.gov.wales/coronavirus
Government relating to COVID-19
Latest Public Health Wales advice https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-
information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-
19/
NHS Wales Online COVID-19 service:
www.111.wales.nhs.uk/coronavirus(201
9ncov)